Ian Wright claims former Arsenal striker who scored almost 200 Premier League goals was ‘underrated’

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Arsenal have had a number of exceptional strikers over the years, including the likes of Thierry Henry and Ian Wright.

Viktor Gyokeres has become the latest centre-forward to sign for Arsenal, joining from Sporting CP last week for a fee worth in the region of £63 million.

The Swede will hope to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Henry and Wright, with the former holding the Gunners’ all-time goalscoring record.

While the North London club have an illustrious list of outstanding number nines, there have also been several who haven’t quite made it in N5.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Ian Wright says former Arsenal striker Andy Cole was ‘underrated’

The likes of Nicolas Anelka and Davor Suker spent time at Arsenal, but ultimately did most of their good work in their respective careers elsewhere.

Anelka was thrust into the limelight at a young age by Arsene Wenger, before going on to excel at Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Suker scored just eight goals in 22 appearances for Arsenal, after having won a World Cup Golden Boot and having enjoyed a prolific spell at Real Madrid.

However, one striker stands above the rest when it comes to playing for the Gunners but making his name outside of North London.

That man is Andy Cole, who came through Arsenal’s academy and made two appearances for the first team, before going on to score 187 Premier League goals at several different clubs.

Speaking on the SDS YouTube channel, Gunners legend Ian Wright described Cole as ‘underrated’.

“Andy Cole was someone, when he was at Arsenal, people were saying that he wouldn’t score more than 10 goals,” he said.

“But he had it all, he had the pace, the finishing, he had it all, he’s underrated in the respect of the credit he gets, but he’s not underrated in terms of people who know.”

Leaving Arsenal for Bristol City in 1992, Cole enjoyed an exceptional debut season in the English second division, scoring 17 goals across all competitions.

This prompted Newcastle to buy him, where he made his name in the top flight, eventually earning a move to Manchester United.

Netting 121 goals in 275 appearances for the Red Devils, Cole later enjoyed successful spells at Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Manchester City, before eventually retiring in 2009.

Viktor Gyokeres can take inspiration from Andy Cole

In the same video, Wright waxed lyrical about Gyokeres, who certainly wouldn’t mind enjoying a similar Premier League career to Cole.

In many ways, Gyokeres and Cole have similarities with their respective career trajectories.

Like the former England international, the new Arsenal signing was at a Premier League club at a young age, but was ultimately never given a proper chance to prove himself there.

Gyokeres was thrown out by Brighton, and forced to make his way back to the top at a lower level, much like Cole.

The Sweden international then scored a ridiculous number of goals in the Portuguese league, like Cole in what is now the Championship, before earning a big-money move back to a huge club.

There were doubts about Cole and whether he could translate his form to the Premier League, just like Gyokeres now.

Ultimately, the Gunners’ new centre-forward can take inspiration from the man Wright believes was underrated.